Practical significance of the Second and Third Laws of
Thermodynamics and their collective effect on Human Life
Gourav Vivek Kulkarni
B.E. Mechanical Engineering, KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, Karnataka, INDIA
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Abstract - Although thermodynamics seems to be a complex
science, it has complete pervasion over human life and the
relevance of the laws can be felt thereby. The first law of
thermodynamics describes the quantified inter-conversion of
heat and work, the second law highlights the quality aspect of
this process and lays certain constraints on the
thermodynamic processes. The third law describes the
disorderliness of a system and sums up saying the
disorderliness of the universe is increasing continuously. These
aspects can be experienced in practical human life wherein
every commodity that has a certain use, needs to be regularly
maintained for service failing which, there will be increase in
disorder and the commodity will become unusable. This paper
considers three cases viz. Industrial setup and machines,
Automobiles and the Human Body, where the laws of
thermodynamics govern the serviceability and efficiency of the
system. A conclusion is drawn towards the end indicating the
pervasiveness of the laws of thermodynamics.
Key Words: Thermodynamics, energy, entropy, heat,
work, efficiency, maintenance
1. INTRODUCTION

Thermodynamics can be defined as the science of energy and
entropy. But as these terms represent an advanced stage of
study, in the basic stage, one can define thermodynamics as
the science of inter-conversion of heat and work. Since
thermodynamics is a science, it can be attributed as a
systematic study of processes. There are four laws of
thermodynamics that govern a thermodynamic process. In
these, the Zeroth law defines a state of thermal equilibrium
wherein the foundation of another field of study called Heat
Transfer is laid. Similar to an electric current, heat flows
from a point at higher temperature to a point at lower
temperature until equilibrium is established. The voltage in
this process is the difference of temperatures which is also
known as the thermal gradient. The First law of
thermodynamics is the Law of conservation of energy. Since
heat and work are alternate forms of energy, this law
provides the quantitative constraints of inter-conversion of
heat and work. Although the First law says that for a cycle
the cyclic integrals of heat transfer and work transfer are
equal, there is no clarity regarding the efficiency of
conversion. This can be understood by the Second law of
thermodynamics which considers the quality of interconversion. According to this, a thermodynamic process
cannot take place if it exchanges heat with a single thermal
reservoir and there cannot be natural heat transfer against a
negative thermal gradient. Thus it can be observed that as
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the laws progress, there is a refinement in the constraints of
the process. The Third law of thermodynamics deals with the
disorder of the system during a process. It dictates the effect
of a process on the system-surrounding interface. Every
process, whether reversible or irreversible has a path
followed which is positive. Thus every path contributes to
the increase in disorder of a system-surrounding interface.
This can be understood by considering the following
example. While moving downhill in a car, when the brakes
are applied, the kinetic energy is converted to heat by the
brake shoes and the car comes to rest. But the same energy
cannot be regained by reversing the process wherein the car
moves uphill and the brakes are cooled. Thus in a reversible
process, every path contributes to increase in disorderliness
of the universe. Considering this as the basis, following study
can be undertaken wherein for every commodity in use,
there is a tendency of increase in disorder. It is not possible
to stop this but by certain methods, the disorder can be
controlled indeed.
2. THE SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
The second law of thermodynamics has two statements
depending upon the context of application[1] viz. the KelvinPlank statement i.e. "It is impossible to construct an engine,
which while working in a cycle produces no other effect
except to extract heat from a single reservoir and do
equivalent amount of work" and the Clausius statement i.e "It
is impossible for a self acting machine working in a cyclic
process unaided by any external energy, to convey heat from
a body at lower temperature to a body at higher
temperature". Both the statements are negative statements
and cannot be proven mathematically. However, their truth
cannot be denied by the fact that one cannot design a system
that negates either or both of these statements. This makes
the second law of thermodynamics a factor to decide the
feasibility of a process. This itself paves way to the concept of
efficiency which represents the ability of a system
undergoing a process to convert the given input into a
desired output. But according to the second law, it can be
clearly stated that one can reach nearer to maximum
efficiency but cannot attain it. This itself paves way to the
third law of thermodynamics which talks of orderliness of the
system at absolute zero. Thus if a system is not completely
efficient, there is certain disorder and this disorder keeps on
getting magnified with time. The following sections discuss
this concept at large.

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3. INDUSTRIAL SETUP AND MACHINES
In order to have a continuity of study, let an automobile
manufacturing industry be considered. The setup mainly
comprises of dies that are used to form the sheet metal to the
desired shape, assembly units or workstations where the
assembly takes place and a testing unit where the testing
takes place. For the study, there should be certain defined
input and a desired output on the basis of which, the
efficiency of the process can be measured.
Consider the setup comprising of dies and punches where
sheet metal forming has to be undertaken. Every set has to
work for a determined number of cycles. On operating the
dies once, there certain amount of wear that takes place. A
cumulative effective of this leads to considerable wear. The
principle of disorder lies in the fact that if allowed to work
without maintenance, the dies tend to be more inaccurate
while forming the sheet metal. For that matter, the
effectiveness of maintenance depends upon the ability to
restore the lost dimensions which further adds to the
inaccuracy. Thus the setup has an inbuilt tendency to wear if
kept unattended and even if regularly maintained, there is
increase in inaccuracy of the die over a period of time. This
requires efficient design and replacement after the end of
serviceable life.
Another setup is the Assembly workstation which has
fixtures to aid the assembly of the automobile. The factor
that further contributes to the disorder of the system is the
product variety that the company may offer. This requires
proper upkeep of the fixtures when not in use. Additionally,
when the same fixture is used for a large number of
assemblies, there is increase in wear of the fixture that adds
to further errors in alignment of the components and
variations in the torque required to join the same.
This clearly shows that the metallic as well as the nonmetallic components of the setup have a natural tendency to
reach disorder if left unattended or regularly maintained as
the lost accuracy cannot be regained by maintenance. As
explained in the example mentioned in the introduction,
every process thus adds to increase in disorder to validate
the third law of thermodynamics.
4. AUTOMOBILES
Continuing the study further, the product of the automobile
manufacturing company i.e an automobile shall be taken up
as an example to explain the application of the third law of
thermodynamics. Right from the day on which a particular
automobile is commissioned, it begins its journey towards
deformation and disorder. On regular use, there are fatigue
stresses induced in the components that tend them to lose
their strength over a considerable period of time. The sheet
metal used to build the structure of the automobile, tends to
corrode even though there is a protective coating applied to
it. This can be experienced by the automobile users to a huge
extent. Disorder sets up in every system if it is left
unattended and if maintenance is carried out, there are
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inaccuracies introduced in the system. Because of this, the
sheet metal eventually corrodes, the battery gradually loses
its functional ability, the rotating and reciprocating parts of
the engine undergo wear and deform over a period of time.
The efficiency of functioning of these parts depends greatly
upon the frequency of application. But in the correct context,
continuous use also introduces inaccuracies due to excessive
wear. This renders an image of pervasion of the second and
third law of thermodynamics, not only in thermal or heat
related process but also in the processes where use of
materials is concerned.
5. THE HUMAN BODY
To further extend the study, the human body shall be
considered as the system and principle of disorder shall be
addressed thereby. The human body is indeed a marvel of
bio-mechanics, thermodynamics and life sciences. In this
section, the organ system, circulatory system and the
digestive system shall be considered and effect of ageing and
improper care on the disorderliness of the system shall be
highlighted. This study shall be undertaken considering only
the thermodynamic aspect.
The human body is a combination of systems. There is
extreme control and coordination among these systems.
However, every living being has four major characteristics
viz. locomotion, respiration, reproduction and growth. When
it comes to growth, it is an irreversible process wherein
there is visible increase in disorder of the body as a law of
nature.
The cell is a basic unit of life. Group of cells forms a tissue
and group of tissues forms an organ. A group of organs make
an organ system. Every organ system is connected to
perform a specific task. However, as the person grows, there
is reduction in the effectiveness of the organs due to various
reasons attributed to food, life style and so on. The organs
are continuously subjected to varying operating conditions.
Due to the effect of intermittent changes, the organs lose
their strength, vigor and get easily fatigued. The increase in
disorder occurs when a particular organ is not properly
functional and undergoes medical treatment. Post treatment,
the organ rarely completely regains its lost functionality.
This gradually hinders the functionality of other organs and
there is disorder introduced that prevails and magnifies
thereafter.
The circulatory system comprises of the heart, the veins and
arteries. The concept of disorder introduced in the system
can be understood by something that can be experienced by
frequent travelers. During overnight journeys, some of the
travelers prefer buses or trains that have sitting or semisleeping arrangement wherein the traveler is more or less in
a sitting posture. Due to gravity, the posture and extended
period of lack of movements, blood tends to accumulate in
the limbs and the same can be validated by observing
slightly swollen feet in the morning. Thus, if left unattended,
there can be increase in the local blood pressure of the foot
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and this can lead to internal rupture on account of the
continuous inflow of blood. This speaks about the increase
disorder of the system that is indicated by the deviation from
normal physical behavior.
The digestive system is the key to well being of an individual.
Overall health of a person depends upon the effectiveness of
the digestive system. Firstly, if the person starves for a
considerable period, the inner lining of the alimentary canal
is affected and this leads to increase in acidity of the same.
On completely utilizing the glycogen available, the body
starts to break down the proteins and other necessary
elements to keep itself alive thereby increasing the disorder
due to no intake of food. This can lead to permanent
digestive problems and hinder the functioning of the
associated organs. Thus disorder in one system leads to
disorder in another, thereby increasing the overall disorder.
This clearly indicates that the body always tends towards
disorder.

Thus observing an overall scenario, the human body is
something that seems to be constantly inching towards more
and more disorder with age. Thus the suggested key to
success would be maintaining least disorder in every activity
to the most possible extent.
6. CONCLUSION
Thus it can be concluded that, the basic tendency of the
universe is to attain disorder by one or the other means. In
event a system is regularly overhauled, one cannot ascertain
regaining of earlier accuracy thereby introducing an
additional disorder. Thus every system follows this principle
and tends towards complete disorder validating the second
and third laws of thermodynamics to a greater extent thereby
proving their all pervasive nature.
REFERENCES
[1]

Eshter Hanggi, Stephaine Wehner, A violation of the
uncertainty principle implies a violation of the second
law of thermodynamics, Nature communications,
Machmillan Publishers Limited, 9 April 2013, pp 1-5

[3]

Ping He, Dong-Biao Kang, Entropy principle and
complementary second law of thermodynamics for selfgravitating systems, Monthly notices of the Royal
Astronomical Society, 19 April 2010, pp 2678-2688